Is It Legal to Play Spotify in a Business in Costa Rica?
Short answer: no, not even with Premium. Here is what Costa Rican law says, what Spotify's terms say and what to use instead.
Two separate problems
| Question | What solves it |
|---|---|
| May my venue communicate music to the public? | ACAM's public communication licence. |
| Is my music source allowed for commercial use? | A music service for business, not a consumer account. |
Having one does not fix the other. A venue with its ACAM licence in order that plays a personal Spotify account is still breaking Spotify's terms.
What Costa Rican law says
The Copyright and Related Rights Law (No. 6683) gives the author the right to authorise public communication of a work. When music plays in a venue open to the public as part of the commercial activity, it is no longer private use. Streaming subscriptions cover private use only.
What Spotify's terms say
Spotify's terms limit the service to personal, non-commercial use and expressly exclude venues such as bars, restaurants and shops. Premium removes the ads; it does not change the licence. The same applies to YouTube, YouTube Music and Apple Music.
Why it is also bad for your brand
- Outside ads in the middle of service on a free account.
- Explicit content nobody filtered, at the worst moment.
- The music depends on a phone: a call comes in or the employee leaves, and the venue goes silent.
- Every branch sounds different, depending on who is on shift.
What to use instead
A service built for commercial use, with scheduling, multi-location control and content filtering. Radio Creator is a Costa Rican company that does exactly that: see music for business in Costa Rica. For the ACAM side, read the basics of the music licence for businesses in Costa Rica.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play Spotify in my business in Costa Rica?
No. Spotify is licensed for personal, non-commercial use only, and its terms exclude commercial venues. In addition, Law 6683 treats music in a venue open to the public as public communication, which requires authorisation.
What if I have Spotify Premium?
Still no. Premium removes ads and adds features, but the licence remains personal. It does not authorise use in a commercial venue.
If I pay the ACAM licence, can I use Spotify?
No. The ACAM licence authorises public communication in your venue, but it does not change Spotify's terms, which still limit the account to personal use. You need a music source built for commercial use.
What can I legally use instead of Spotify?
A music service for business, designed and licensed for commercial use, together with your venue's public communication licence.
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Requirements can change: always confirm with ACAM what applies to your venue.
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